Dr. Freddy Kaniki Rukema, who heads the AFC/M23 Ebola response team, said the situation in the city of Goma remains stable, with no new confirmed infections reported since the first case was detected on May 17. However, health authorities are investigating one suspected case.
According to Dr. Kaniki, health teams have identified 255 people who came into contact with the confirmed Ebola patient in Goma. Of these, 217 were classified as high-risk contacts and have been placed under a mandatory 21-day quarantine period in line with public health protocols, while the remaining 38 are being monitored through routine surveillance.
Three additional Ebola cases were reported in Murhesa, an area located in Kabare Territory in South Kivu Province. Dr. Kaniki said the outbreak was traced to a 26-year-old man who had recently travelled from Ituri Province and subsequently transmitted the virus to his wife and brother-in-law.
Health officials have so far identified 152 contacts linked to the Murhesa cases. Among them, 96 were deemed high-risk and placed in quarantine, while 56 others remain under observation.
AFC/M23 said laboratories capable of diagnosing Ebola are now operational in both Goma and Bukavu, adding that plans are underway to expand testing services to other areas under its administration.
“In the last 24 hours, we have tested 12 samples, with results available within
six hours of collection,” Dr. Kaniki said. “This rapid turnaround supports early detection, timely patient management, and effective outbreak containment measures.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) has indicated that the strain currently circulating in the DRC belongs to the Bundibugyo species of the Ebola virus. While no licensed vaccine or specific treatment currently exists for this strain, supportive care can significantly improve patient outcomes.
Dr. Kaniki said AFC/M23 has opted to administer Remdesivir to both confirmed patients and high-risk contacts, citing research conducted on Ebola, COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. The antiviral drug is expected to help reduce the risk of severe illness and death.
The coalition further announced that it has secured 500 doses of Remdesivir, which are set to be deployed in hospitals in Goma and Bukavu, where Ebola cases have been recorded.
Leave a Reply